URochester nurse scientist honored with Victoria Mock New Investigator Award

Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, an assistant professor and researcher at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, received the Oncology Nursing Society’s (ONS) 2026 Victoria Mock New Investigator Award.

The honor recognizes early-career researchers who are building a scientific foundation for oncology nursing practice. As a family nurse practitioner and cancer survivor, Ghazal brings a unique perspective to her research, which focuses on improving the health and quality of life of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Her work also explores the financial toxicity of cancer care among AYAs, integrating her background in economics and healthcare. 

As part of the Mock Award, Ghazal presented a lecture in April at the annual ONS Congress, titled “Advancing Equity in AYA Cancer Survivorship.” In the presentation, she discussed how financial distress during cancer treatment can affect health outcomes and quality of life, the unique needs of LGBTQ+ survivors and the challenges they face, and her own journey from student to patient to nurse scientist.

“Being recognized as the Victoria Mock New Investigator is an incredible honor and deeply meaningful milestone in my career,” Ghazal said. “I am especially grateful to have my work in adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship and equity-centered care recognized by a community of oncology nursing leaders and mentors whom I greatly admire.”

As an associate member of the Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Cancer Prevention and Control research group, Ghazal has held a pivotal role in expanding the University of Rochester’s research on AYA cancer survivorship since joining the faculty in 2023.

“I want to make lives better through research and implementing evidence-based and supportive care interventions. And I can do that here, in collaboration with the School of Nursing and with our newly NCI-designated cancer center across the street, and with phenomenal mentors,” Ghazal said.

Most recently, Ghazal has also studied the ways advanced practice providers care for cancer survivors outside of oncology settings, shaping future care and addressing gaps in training for APPs as the population of cancer survivors continues to grow nationally. The study is supported by the Drs. Jeremy A. Klainer and Pamela York Klainer Endowed Dean's Discretionary Award in Nursing.

“Dr. Ghazal represents the future of healthcare and nursing research,” said Assistant Professor Meghan Underhill, PhD, APRN, FAAN, one of Ghazal’s nominators and a previous recipient of the Victoria Mock Award in 2018. “She bridges clinical practice, advocacy, and research into one goal — improving cancer care outcomes.”

Read more about Ghazal's work.